Forums » General Roleplay » Water and Dark [1x1 - Closed]

It was hardly bright and sunny in the largest city in the region. In fact, it was actually a little drizzly and overcast, though not terribly so. If one had an umbrella or just didn't mind the rain, it was tolerable, and it hardly stopped the community, both native and passer-through alike, from taking advantage of the city's facilities as early in the day as possible.

One such individual had taken to trotting down the stairs of the northern entrance to the Goldenrod Underground, an extensive tunnel beneath half the city housing its own set of services to the public--and its fair share of eager trainers. Dampened from the rain, the tall and muscular roughneck clad in leather and denim coolly shook his old overcoat dry and stepped into the tunnel proper. Immediately he found himself lost in a sea of locals, sticking out like a dark type in a sea of water Pokémon. Fantastic.

Even with a good amount of gentle pushing and gruff apologies, it took a few minutes before the dark-skinned man found his way to a free space near a stall, manned by a fellow a few years younger than himself.

"Hello there!"

Johann, already a bit off-put, slowly turned around to stare the stranger down. The younger man didn't look too disturbed.

"Might you be interested in grooming for your Pokémon? It's only 300!"

"Uh..." The roughneck was about to put on his best glare and huff of 'No', but a jingle from his belt interrupted the moment. The groomer leaned forward a little, certainly curious about the source of the sound, but his efforts were for naught--Johann slipped a hand beneath his coat, and the jingling ceased immediately.

"No, but thank you," he growled in an unpleasant, gravely voice before turning away to lean against the wall, back into his own personal bubble. The crowds were thinning a little--enough so he could see what was going on--but he didn't see anyone that looked like an upstart trainer itching for a fight.

The pastel blue and pink umbrella made a soft 'click' sound as it folded together. A little shake and rustle rid it of excess droplets of water before the woman tucked the umbrella hook onto the crook of her arm. She took a few seconds at the tunnel entrance to touch up her immaculate appearance, which was to say she flicked a few bangs out of her face and adjusted the straps of her dress.

Nessa turned to the small Nidoran at her feet. "Are you as excited as I am, Gin?" Gin looked up to her with a soft coo and bounced twice on the spot.

The woman laughed softly. "I thought so. Come here darling." She gathered the Nidoran into her arms and made her way through the crowd. For weeks she had raved on and on about the groomers in Goldenrod. All of her Pokemon had been as excited about it as she was and now, finally, she was here! She did her best not to squeal in excitement when she spotted the stall a little ways ahead.

Nessa rushed towards it, nearly pushing one lady out of the way. She mumbled a quick apology before turning towards the groomer, her pretty face beaming. "Hello! You are one of the groomers, yes?"

Even in the joy of his own personal bubble, Johann could still pick up on the excitement suddenly appearing somewhere just behind and to his left. The rough looking man scowled a little and turned his head under the guise of surveying the entire length of the tunnel, just so to listen in for as long as his interest would allow.

The groomer on the other hand was equally as pleased to have a new customer, and a pretty one to boot! He beamed back at Nessa and took to straightening up his posture and apron. "Indeed I am, ma'am! I'm the younger of The Two Haircut Brothers!" He points at the little sign on the stall which does indeed say just that. "The older one is a bit better and charges a bit more, but he only comes on certain days of the week--I'm following in his footsteps though and am more than ample at taking care of your little ones," he assures with a nod of his head towards the female Nidoran in the woman's arms.

'Tch, salesman amateur,' Johann internally scoffed, rolling his eyes.

Her smile faltered quickly. "Oh." She hadn't counted on hearing that and suddenly wasn't so sure about this. She only wanted the best of the best for her best friends and to be frank, he wasn't very convincing about his abilities.

"W-when is your brother going to be here then?" It would be rude to say she didn't have any confidence in him. Nessa caught the much larger and intimidating man's look, and her cheeks reddened just a touch.

"Gin and the others deserve the best of the best," she clarified, almost as if it was important the total stranger knew the high quality of life she strived to have!

The younger brother's pleased look faltered a little, though he was quick to try to make a recovery. "O-oh, tomorrow, ma'am--he comes in a little after eight in the morning."

Johann made his attentive nature more obvious by turning about and leaning against the wall, facing the pair properly. He kept his posture closed and withheld, with both arms crossed over his large chest, but the dark skinned man smiled like an Arbok who had cornered its prey. "C'mon now, lady," the roughneck rumbled at Nessa, "how's the fellow going to get better if a pretty lil' like you won't give him a chance? Is one little tiny bit of fur out of place going to bring your world tumblin' down around your shoulders?"

Just as she was about to say she'd be back tomorrow, the stranger decided to fluster poor Nessa! Her wide eyes fell on Johann and her cheeks became very visibly red with embarrassment. He made her feel like she'd done something terrible and for a second, she considered giving in.

Vanity is an ugly thing though. The thought of Gin, and Lara and all her other pokemon not getting top notch care made her feel nauseated. "I'm sorry, but this is none of your business!" Her voice had gone a pitch higher. "My sweeties work really hard and they do deserve the best there is. I'm sure this young man's work is.... adequate, but-"

Nessa worried her bottom lip with her teeth and looked a distressed, like a cornered animal. This became a stressful situation real fast for the fashion conscientious woman! "I'm not a mean person, honest." Why was it so awful to have high standards?!

"None of my business? Yeah, you're right, it probably ain't my business," Johann drawled in a mocking tone, "but I'm pretty sure this young man here works just as hard. Look at you, crushing his dreams of being a top notch groomer."

The aforementioned young man shot Johann a nervous, uneasy stare. "N-no, really, it's okay," he interjected, "L-luke will be in tomorrow; I, uh, I bet we can even give you a dis-discount too, for having to come back tomorrow, ma'am!"

That elicited another eye-roll and a proper 'tch' of disgust and disapproval from Johann.

The situation grew uncomfortable so fast Nessa wasn't even sure what, exactly, was happening. Gin squirmed in her arms because Nessa's grip tightened around her. The trainer was quiet for several heartbeats, looking between the groomer and the biker.

"I- okay then." Almost tomato red in the face, she handed the adorable Nidoran over to the groomer. "Please be careful," she added with a worried tone.

Nessa then faced the biker - handsome and just her type, unfortunately - with her peach lips stuck in a pout. "Happy now?"

Nick--that's the younger brother--was actually a bit surprised (and touched) that Nessa actually gave Gin over to him to care for; he couldn't say he approved that it was due to the larger man's interference, but he still gingerly scooped Gin into his arms and nodded at her owner.

"Of course, ma'am! You and...and Gin, you said, yeah? You'll love the job I do!" The entire grooming stall was spread behind him, so Nessa wouldn't have to worry about any surprise thefts, and Nick turned right around to get to work on pampering the Nidoran.


Once he was being acknowledged again, Johann chortled and nodded his approval of the situation. "Content as a Persian in a good mood," he answered truthfully. Then he extended his hand, calloused and covered in old lines of scar tissue. "Malacharv, Johann Malacharv."

No matter the reassurance, Nessa couldn't quite get rid of the antsy feeling she had about the situation. If the groomer didn't do a good job on her precious Gin, she might just cry. She managed to tear her eyes away from them and looked at Johann's offered hand.

Reluctantly, Nessa shook it with her own, smaller and really soft hand. Never worked a day of manual labor in her life. "Nessa Morgenstern," she introduced herself in return. Now it was less awkward to give him a good look over and she confirmed his handsomeness. He was very masculine, rough around every edge and clearly unafraid to speak up and show his assertiveness. Mmm-mm.

By the time she realized she was still holding his hand, long moments had passed. Instantly bright red, she let go. "Why does it matter to you whether this guy gets to groom my pokemon or not?" Quick, subject change, pretend that never happened! Her delicately pretty-shoe-clad feet shuffled awkwardly on the floor.

For such a rough-looking individual, Johann's grip was firm and businesslike; for a man who looked like he fit in with the Kanto Pokemon Federation, he shook her hand as if he'd been professionally trained in the matter. "A pleasure, Miss Morgenstern," he rumbled kindly enough, "given the circumstances."

The circumstances were quickly changing though--he could tell that much when he began to notice she hadn't let his hand go and kept staring at him. From behind the protection of his sunglasses, the biker's barely-seen eyes narrowed and stared back, and his slightly better attitude dropped a little.

"...Because I like shaking the pedestals people stand on, Twinkles," he fired back gruffly. His dry lips twisted up into a smirk. "And it looks like I'm doing a damn fine job right now."

Oh, that was just mean. Nessa wasn't on a pedestal - not in her own eyes at least! She was just a woman who knew what she wanted. That didn't make her a bad person, or even a bad trainer! Her entire team was carefully selected and loved as much as a human possibly could. None of them were left wanting and always looked incredibly gorgeous, catching eyes of humans and Pokemon alike. Why, everything in her life was fabulous and she was happy. Nessa never hurt a fly and she was darn proud of her lifestyle, something she worked hard and diligently for.

All these things raced through her mind and she fully intended on speaking up to set this caveman straight, but the breath she drew only resulted in a slow quiver of her bottom lip, eyes enormously wide, round and shimmering with tears yet to be shed. Instead of unleashing terrible fury, she turned away from Johann and watched Nick tend to Gin through a blurred haze. "Alright." Her voice was very unsteady. No tears trickled down her cheeks, but it wouldn't take much to open the floodgates.

Admittedly Johann really liked pushing the envelope at any opportunity--quite like a school yard bully, except he really could back himself up in an after-school fight.

And right now this was the prettiest, easiest lil' envelope he'd run across in all of Goldenrod. Distinctly ignoring the glare Nick was giving him, the roughneck reached into one of his coat pockets and pulled out a handkerchief that looked like it'd never been used before. Given its owner, it probably was abandoned more than once.

"Aw c'mon now, you asked a question, and you get an honest answer. Here, don't make it rain indoors--I left my umbrella behind," he drawled again, reaching over Nessa's shoulder to wiggle the 'kerchief before her.


"Why don't you leave her alone before I go find security to boot you out?" Nick suddenly piped up, pausing in washing Gin's fur with a fairly fine conditioner. The larger man gave the groomer a grin and remarked, "Let's see you try, Kiddo".

Kiddo? Well, Johann did look to be a good deal older than either of them. At least seven years, maybe nine.

Ah, if only Nessa could hear the unspoken compliment Johann had to offer her! Perhaps then she'd feel flattered enough to get over herself and suck it up. Her eyes were drawn to the movement of the hankie and her bottom lip quivered terribly for a few seconds at the sudden flood of emotions. It was kind of sweet of him to offer the cloth, and she fought to prevent a small smile from blossoming at his cute and silly comment.

Nick's words shook her up a little. She snatched the hankie and shook her head at the groomer. "No, no, it's okay. He's right. He's terribly pompous and rude about it, but right." With utmost care she dabbed the corners of her eyes (she would die right on the spot if her mascara or eyeliner ran out) and awkwardly offered the cloth back to him.

"Just so you know, I do not consider myself on a pedestal." She lifted her head to look at him, lips set into a firm purse.

The groomer couldn't believe what he was hearing. Is she really defending this jerk? He struggled to maintain a straight, proper face while on the job, but his body language read displeasure. Johann was pleased as punch to hear the words come tumbling from Nessa's lips, and he gave a nod of approval in return.

"See, Greenhorn? I speak the gods-honest truth, and yeah, sure you aren't," the biker retorted. "That's what they all claim, Twinkles." The nicknames rolled off his tongue easly, and it was obvious he felt more comfortable using those than people's proper names.

Nick, finished up washing the conditioner from Gin's fur and toweled the Nidoran off. He never bothered readdressing the biker.

"Does she handle loud noises well, ma'am?" he chooses to ask Nessa. "I don't want to spook her while running the dryer."

The biker silently shot a blessing to the ceiling for a distraction. He seized the opportunity to dig out a fresh pack of cigarettes and a worn lighter, even as his eyes caught sight of what he was certain was a 'no smoking' sign just down the hall.

Well, she wasn't exactly happy with him. She only acknowledged that she'd asked for his thoughts and he delivered them. She didn't like it, she didn't approve of his entire attitude, but - he was just darned handsome and did something sweet! He was a good guy, right?

Nessa focused on Nick, almost having forgotten Gin was getting her mini spa treatment. "Oh, I'm not entirely sure. She's still young but she doesn't spook easily." She touched her throat with her fingertips in a worried gesture. "Please be careful."

She hadn't noticed the cigarettes, but boy was Johann in for a surprise if he dared to light it right in front of her!

"Sure thing!" Nick chirped at Nessa as he slung the towel over his shoulder and reached over for the dryer. The machine started up on its lowest setting, keeping the whirring of warm air low and quiet to see how Gin would react.


Johann didn't give two hoots to what anyone thought of his bad habits. He stuck the cigarette between his teeth and flicked the lighter open with a distinct scrap of metal being scraped, followed by the clicking of the wheel as he gave it a few spins to start a spark.

Nessa grew a little anxious but did her best to stay calm as the dryer turned on. Gin looked a bit wary, but her trainer didn't freak out and the gentle warm air soothed her quickly. Soft cooing sounds put Nessa back at ease and she smiled warmly.

Of course this pleasant feeling was not meant to last. Nope! She whirled around when she heard the lighter click and looked positively shocked. How dare he?! At lightning speed, Nessa jerked the cigarette from Johann's lips and glared her most intimidating glare. "If you want to poison yourself you're free to do so outside. I will not reek of this filthy stuff!"

The biker had no idea anyone could react that quickly, and the sudden lack of his personal vice left him feeling terribly empty and grumpy in one fell swoop. Gritting his teeth (which were healthy but a bit stained) in irritation, the man pocketed the lighter and reached up to lower his sunglasses and peer over them at her.

What Nessa was met with was a pair of unpleasantly light grey eyes; an unusual medical condition, perhaps, but the way he glared at her over the edges of tinted glass implied he could see well enough to know exactly where to lock gazes. Behind them Nick's dryer paused in one spot on Gin's bottom as the groomer found himself a little taken aback. Johann said not a word for several long moments.

"Give it back, Miss Morgenstern," he ordered, his voice carrying a certain subtle but vicious weight.

Her fury was short lived when her grey blue eyes met his. Her stomach flipped over and sank to the bottom of her shoes, leaving her mouth dry. She tried to hold on to her courage and challenged him with a raise of her chin.

"You can have it back if you don't smoke it around here. Take it outside!" There was a tremble in her voice, likely from the sudden burst of adrenaline rushing through her system.

Gin gave a pained squeak when her butt got a little too hot from the dryer, distracting a gasping Nessa. It would be easy to take it back, if Johann was willing to deal with an even more upset twinkles!